Smaller next-gen Mazda MX-5....YES

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by White Comet

Good points, but don't forget that there is significant time lag in development of a brand new car, especially one that doesn't share a platform with an existing model (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that one, but I always thought this was the case with the S2000). Case in point: just look how long it took for the new Camaro to arrive as a result of the success of the S195 Mustang ('05 and up model).

Oh, and are you quoting global sales, or just US sales?

US sales only. Global sales are declining too. Highest 71k ('90), lowest 19k ('05).

[Mouse]

Here are the official numbers from 1989 to 2006 and it is missing 2007 to present.....
http://www.miata.net/faq/production/...Y1989-2006.pdf

[Mouse]

Truth be told....by the end of 1990(second year) the miata had sold more than the s2000 did in 10 years....That is based off of worldwide figures.

[S2KtoFT86]

Do you want to turn this into a Miata vs. S2000 thread?

[ichitaka05]

Originally Posted by Mouse

Truth be told....by the end of 1990(second year) the miata had sold more than the s2000 did in 10 years....That is based off of worldwide figures.

true, if you just look at just US sales between '99~'08
mx-5 sold total of 149,297, while S2k sold 65,662 (less then half).
But at the same time, Honda didn't manufactured S2k many as mx-5 did.

Now, I'm just doin' "What if" thing, What if S2k were same price range as mx-5 and manufactured many as mx-5, do you think it would of been same numbers? it's just "what if" situation

[Deslock]

Originally Posted by White Comet

No, mouse is right. He's saying that the mx-5 was the progenitor for the all modern roadster, and he would be right.

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

Sorry, I'm not disrespecting mx-5 or anything, but I'm not convinced.

Originally Posted by S2KtoFT86

And you shouldn't be. The S600 was released in '64, many many years before the Miata was.

The MX5 was created because roadsters such as the MG and Triumph ceased to exist by ~1980. It is the first modern roadster and is widely credited with reviving the class. Though the S2000 was named in the tradition of the S500, S600, and S800, one could argue that the Honda Beat was more of a successor to those cars.

Originally Posted by S2KtoFT86

Like Matador said, the S2000 and even the Boxter are not in the same class as the Miata so how can you say that those vehicles were created because of it?

They are in different price brackets, but they are all in the RWD roadster class, which had been pretty much abandoned before the MX5.

Originally Posted by MatadorRacing_F1

I fail to see how any company could reason "Oh, those guys are making mad $$ on that car, let's build one bigger, heavier and sell it for $10K more and we will recreate the magic".....

Honda saw a potential gap between the MX5 and upcoming high-scale roadsters. BMW and Porsche were already close to producing their roadsters when Honda released the SSM concept, which got the green light in no small part due to the MX5's success.

None of this is open to interpretation; it's well documented history.

Originally Posted by S2KtoFT86

Do you want to turn this into a Miata vs. S2000 thread?

Strange comment given that your first two posts in this thread were:

Originally Posted by S2KtoFT86

Meh, I could care less.

Originally Posted by S2KtoFT86

I'll take my S over a Miata any day of the week.

I've driven many S2000s and MX5s. They're my two favorite roadsters, though they arguably serve different purposes: the S2000 is more about serious, high speed competition while the MX5 is more of a fun weekend/daily driver (though it's a competent performer, especially when modified). When driving on public roads I enjoy the MX5 more, but it's no match for the S2000 in pretty much any type of race. To each his own.

Originally Posted by ichitaka05

What if S2k were same price range as mx-5 and manufactured many as mx-5, do you think it would of been same numbers? it's just "what if" situation

Not sure what you're getting at. Obviously S2000 sales would skyrocket if it cost only $22k. But it wasn't designed to be mass produced and its manufacturing is too expensive for the price point you're suggesting.

Back to the topic, while the NC is still fun, it's a little too smooth and heavy so I think Mazda is on the right track. I hope they use an engine more like Honda's B18C in the ND.

[Mouse]

Thank you Deslock.

[S2KtoFT86]

Originally Posted by Deslock

I've driven many S2000s and MX5s. They're my two favorite roadsters, though they arguably serve different purposes: the S2000 is more about serious, high speed competition while the MX5 is more of a fun weekend/daily driver (though it's a competent performer, especially when modified). When driving on public roads I enjoy the MX5 more, but it's no match for the S2000 in pretty much any type of race. To each his own.

Thanks for making my point for me.

[White Comet]

Originally Posted by Deslock

The MX5 was created because roadsters such as the MG and Triumph ceased to exist by ~1980. It is the first modern roadster and is widely credited with reviving the class. Though the S2000 was named in the tradition of the S500, S600, and S800, one could argue that the Honda Beat was more of a successor to those cars.

Interesting point, but regarding the Beat, we need to keep in mind that the Beat was never sold outside of Japan (or at least, never sold in North America), so it would have no cache here to give the S2000 some instant recognition.

Originally Posted by S2KtoFT86

Thanks for making my point for me.

That wasn't the point you were trying to make in your discussion with me. Nowhere was I challenging which car was "better", or more "serious."

[S2KtoFT86]

The conversation gradually changed to instead of one begetting the other, that they are not in the same class. That's why I quoted above and said thanks for making my point for me.

[White Comet]

Originally Posted by S2KtoFT86

The conversation gradually changed to instead of one begetting the other, that they are not in the same class. That's why I quoted above and said thanks for making my point for me.

Fair enough

[RWD_only]

The ND miata and possibly the Fiat 500 Abarth are about the only two cars that would keep me out of an FT-86, (and maybe a E46 M3) but it's good to have options!

Originally Posted by Deslock

I've driven many S2000s and MX5s. They're my two favorite roadsters, though they arguably serve different purposes: the S2000 is more about serious, high speed competition while the MX5 is more of a fun weekend/daily driver (though it's a competent performer, especially when modified). When driving on public roads I enjoy the MX5 more, but it's no match for the S2000 in pretty much any type of race except rallying. To each his own.

Fixed

[flier129]

Oh man please dont start an s2000 vs miata thread lol. Two different cars, both with its pros and cons.

I drive a NA myself, granted its not stock but I have driven quite a few miatas, different setups, different power levels.

For a weekend toy for the mountains, occasional autox, s2000 would be for me.

Wanted to mod it some, tight on cash, I'll jump to the miata. And the novelity factor of having a miata, a girly car, walk a guy with ego problems is funny.

But thats just me.

I figure mazda will go with a 1.8L, it worked fine from 94-05 and they could easily squeeze 160-170hp out of one because the BP's head design is one of the worst lol, but work fine under boost. I would love to have a honda designed head into a ND mx-5.

I hope the ft86 will be sub-2800lbs and able to carry the wide variety of boxer engines and have good transmissions. I'd take it over a light-weight ND .

[Matador]

So, some more news about the next MX-5. I guess I have another option if Toyota fails me.

Mazda, word of advice, make a coupe version

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/11/02/r...das-next-mx-5/